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Somali special forces seize Mubarak and Awdhegle towns from Al-Shabab following an early morning attack; operation still ongoing; Al-Shabab fighters have retreated towards Toratorow. Reports say troops are accompanied by U.S. military advisers: security sources

U.S. sanctions Mohamed Mire Ali Yusuf of Somalia and his Liibaan Trading and Al Mutafaq Commercial Company for "activities supporting Islamic State in Somalia". U.S. also sanctioned two other people and their companies in alleged support for IS

A religious edict in Somaliland has banned some forms of FGM. Perpetrators will be punished and those undergoing the procedure will be compensated. Neighbourhood committees 'to be established' to oversee implementation.

A commercial ship carrying millions of dollars worth of cargo has run aground near Bosaso port in Puntland. The ship was said to have been contracted by Somali merchants who were importing food and supplies from the United Arab Emirates. Somalia

A Ugandan national who is said to be a chef has been shot dead inside UNICEF compound in Mogadishu. Attacker is believed to be a former security guard at the compound who was fired from the job, investigators arrived the scene, perpetrator 'escaped': security sources.

A US military official tells me that US Special Operations Forces participated in a Jan. 18 Somali-led raid on an al-Shabaab camp in the Middle Shabelle region that helped rescue approx. 30 Somali child conscripts. US forces were in an advisory role

Plane carrying more than 40 Somalis released by India arrives at Mogadishu airport after negotiations between the two countries. They were part of 120 Somalis arrested by India navy after being suspected of involvement in piracy acts, some have served their jail terms.